Nearly a month after the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, the Oyo State government has filed murder charges against Ex-Ooni’s Queen Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife.
Silekunola, alongside Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the school’s principal, among others, was charged in connection with the December 18, 2024, stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
In court documents obtained by PulseNets, the case, registered as I/05C/2025, was filed on Friday, January 10, with the Oyo State government listed as the complainant. The former queen and other co-defendants were named as respondents in the suit.
The state government, in an 18-count charge, accused the defendants of offenses including “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”
Also Read: Oyo Stampede: Queen Naomi Silekunola, 7 Others Arrested Over Children’s Funfair
The government informed the court that the alleged offenses are punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. PulseNets also learnt that the charges reflect the government’s intention to seek justice for the victims of the incident.
